How to spot reliable health information

Sometimes it seems like everyone thinks they’re an expert on health, and many people are quick to offer opinions on health information. How can you be certain you’re finding the best information from reputable sources?

1. Be skeptical
Take everything you read with a grain of salt. Information circulates quickly online, so it can be easy to think that what you’re reading has been fact-checked. However, that isn’t always the case.

Misinformation abounds because people can post opinions and make comments on health matters without credentials or sources cited. To ensure that you’re accessing the most reliable information, the key first step is to recognize that not everything you hear is true, especially if the information is associated with the sale of a product or service.

2. Access official sources
While you might be inundated every day with information from friends, family, social media, websites and more, you can very easily establish a few key reliable sources for news. You can’t go wrong with trusting official government websites. Health Canada is the leading source for reliable healthcare information that all Canadian citizens can access for free.

Healthcare non-profits can also offer a wealth of information supported by doctors, experts in the field and individuals with lived experience. The Kidney Foundation of Canada, for example, has many resources about kidney disease, such as their website, webinars and social media feeds.

3. Consult your healthcare provider
If you feel like there’s a lot of conflicting information online or you have specific health concerns that aren’t being taken into account, bring those questions to your primary care physician. Especially if you feel like you may need to make any changes related to your health, seeing your doctor should be a critical step in any decision-making process.

Following these three key steps will help you find accurate, fact-based healthcare information. Before trying any new diet fads, making changes to your drug and health products, or anything else, remember to be skeptical, check your trusted sources and, if needed, consult your family doctor.